Interview Insider: How to Get Hired at The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory is perhaps best known for its mammoth menu (more than 250 items) and creative adaptations on a classic American dessert — cheesecake flavors range from the simple (banana cream) to the truly decadent (Snickers bar chunk).

The company, which is headquartered in Calabasas Hills, California, has more than 200 restaurants across the country, employs more than 35,000 people, and offers perks such as company-leased BMWs for general managers, full benefits for part-time staff working at least 25 hours per week, and plenty of free cheesecake. It's the only restaurant company to make Fortune's Top 100 Employers two years in a row.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Claire Prager, vice president of talent selection, says personality and preparation are your keys to joining The Cheesecake Factory team.

What qualities do you look for in every candidate?We look for people who embody our culture of hospitality. When we meet a candidate who has a genuine care and concern for others, a warm and welcoming smile and bright eyes, and a passion for excellence — that's who we want on our team.

What areas of the company are growing fastest right now?We are scheduled to open 11 new restaurants this year, so our restaurants are definitely the area where we are experiencing the most growth. We are hiring nearly every day of the year. Last year we hired 18,000 staff members.

What do you expect candidates to know about The Cheesecake Factory before an interview?Hopefully they have had a chance to be a guest in one of our restaurants so they would have an understanding of how high-energy our restaurants are, and our commitment to quality and absolute guest satisfaction. Additionally, I would hope that they had visited our website to learn about us and be energized about what we do.

Where do you recruit candidates?We recruit candidates in a variety of ways — from job boards to social media to career fairs on military bases. I am very active in the Women's Foodservice Forum and attend their annual conference and regional conferences. Most of our applications come directly from our website, cakecareers.com.

Courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

How can candidates interact with you on social media to stand out?I am happy to have interested applicants contact me directly on LinkedIn. Additionally, they can follow and interact with our [company] page on LinkedIn.

What types of jobs are available for recent graduates?Our hourly restaurant positions are a great fit for many current students as well as recent grads. Additionally, every year, we hire approximately 100 staff members for our corporate support center in Calabasas Hills, and many are a great fit for recent grads. Current positions include a senior coordinator of gift cards, a financial analyst, and a recruiter to join my team.

Is there a different application process for in-restaurant positions versus corporate positions?No. Our application process begins online for all positions.

What's unique about your interview process?Our applicants complete an online behavioral assessment that takes about 30 minutes. It is designed to help predict their on-the-job performance.

Do you have an internship program?We have a culinary internship program in our restaurants for which we require applicants to be in their third or fourth year of college, or enrolled in a culinary or hospitality program. For our corporate internship positions, candidates must be enrolled in college. These internships vary greatly by position. For instance, this summer, we had about a dozen interns supporting various departments ranging from public relations to internal audit to information technology. Our public relations intern helped to coordinate our National Cheesecake Day public relations campaign, which is our biggest PR opportunity of the year. All of our interns are paid.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Do you regularly hire interns into full-time roles?Our internship program is just a few years new, but we have already hired a few interns into full-time roles.

Courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory

Do most full-time positions require a specific degree?At the restaurant level, they do not. In our corporate support center, most positions do require a college degree.

What types of questions do you typically ask in an interview?We ask the candidate to tell us about specific situations they've been in that will help demonstrate their ability to do the job they've applied for. A couple of examples are, "Describe a time when you exceeded the expectations that your manager set for you about quality and standards." And, "You notice a guest is wandering around the restaurant. What would you do?"

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

What questions should candidates always ask you in an interview?Candidates should definitely ask questions about the company's culture to make sure it's a mutual fit. Additionally, they should ask about the company's training program.

What questions should they never ask?Don't ask questions that will make you sound as if you're only focused on how much money you will make. Of course, it's OK to ask about salary, but it shouldn't come across as your only motivation.

What's a mistake people make in interviews all the time and don't know it?Being unaware of body language. Your body language says so much about you, and many people are unaware of theirs. Make sure your body language shows you are an open, confident, and friendly person who is eager to take on a new career opportunity!

What is the interview dress code?I have seen everything from flip-flops and shorts to Sunday's best. I would say somewhere in-between is ideal. Whatever you chose to wear, it must be pressed and clean. You should look your best.

Do thank-you cards or emails matter to you?It's always a nice surprise to receive a thank-you card or thank-you email. Honestly, it's rare to receive one, so I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker.

Interview Insider is weekly series offering tips for getting a job at some of your favorite companies. Check back every Thursday for the latest interview.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.